Electric open-switch and stop signal.



No 785,026, PATENTED MAR. 14,1905.

- J. 'B. SMILEY. ELECTRIC OPEN SWITGH AND STOP SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 14. 1904.

v/fi/ NTTED STATES Patented March 14, 1905. v

PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC OPEN-SWITCH AND STOP SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,026, dated March 14, 1905.

Application filed December 14, 1904. Serial No. 236,806.

To all 1071,0771 it 77l/(Ly concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. SMILEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of South Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and Improved Electric Open-Switch and Stop Signal, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanyingdrawings I have shown in Figure 1 a top view of a rail system with portions broken away equipped with my open switch and stop signal. Fig. 2 shows a sectional detail of one of the contact details. Fig. 3 discloses a detail of the semaphore used in my invention, while Fig. 4 discloses a broken portion of a locomotive, showing position of the alarm-bell and one of the-contact-brushes as used in my invention.

My invention relates to an electric openswitch and stop signal, the aim being to provide a mechanism so arranged that whenever a switch is open the train approaching the open switch will be notified by means of an audible alarm in the engineers cab that the switch is open, as will also the train approaching from the opposite direction, so that whenever the switch is open the engines approaching the switch from both directions will receive an alarm, so that the engineers will be notified, and thereby cautioned.

In the accompanyingdrawings I have shown in Fig. l a plan view ofa portion of a rail system provided with my signal apparatus. The rails A and A are secured to suitable ties (1., and at a suitable point I provide a projecting tie 23, to which the switch-stand 23 is secured, as shown. This switch-stand is provided with the usual rock-shaft 20, holder 21, and pendent operating-handle 22, adapted to be locked into the switch-stand, from which extends an operating-bar 19, as disclosed, secured to the shifting ends B and F of the split rails. These rails B and F are connected by means of the bar O, which bar works through the housing D, and by means of a electrical connection by means of the conductor 8 with the contact-rail 1. (Shown in Fig. 1.) Between the rails A and A are held two sets of contact-rails-one set being 1 and 1, approaching the switch from one direction, while coming from an opposite direction are the contact-rails 2 and 2. These rails are of like construction and, as shown in Fig. 2, are provided with a base-stringer 18, upon which is placed suitable insulating material 17, supporting a wooden rail 16, to which wooden rails are secured the contact-rails 1, 1, 2, and 2.

Held within the housing D by means of a pin 19 is the electric terminal 4, from which extends the conductor 5, leading to the battery 6 within the housing, and extending from the opposite pole of the battery is a conductor 7 leading to the rail 1. Now these instrumentalities are so arranged that whenever the switch is open that is, set for the siding, including the rails B and B, as is shown in Fig. 1the .bar C will bring into engagement the terminals 3 and 1, so that in this condition the rails 1 and 1 form electrical terminals.

The locomotives are provided with suitable electric alarm-bells 22, as'shown in Fig. 4, of any suitable construction, from which bells extend two similar conductors 21, each leading to a plate 20, from which extends a holder 19, holding 'a scrapingbrush 4;, which brushes are adaptedto work with an abrading effect upon the contact-rails, so that a locomotive equipped with two such brushes i; would complete the circuit to ring the alarm 22, thus notifying the engineer approaching the switch of the fact that the switch was set and open in other words, giving alarm to show that the track was not clear. Upon the opposite side extending from the rail 2 is a conductor 9, leading to the battery 10, from which battery 10 extends the conductor 11, leading to the terminal 12, which terminal is adapted to be engaged by the contact-maker secured to the semaphore a, working upon the pivot 40, as shown in Fig. 3, the semaphore 6 being operated by means of'a suitable operating-chain w, the semaphore being secured to a suitable base E, as disclosed. Now when the switch isopen, as disclosed in Fig. 1, the train'appreaching from the direction so that the contact rails 2 and 2 are engaged the bell within that locomotive will be rung, as the operator will have set the semaphore eto complete the Too circuit, the conductor 15 completing the circuit in being led to the contact-rail 2, so that the engines approaching this open switch from both sides are notified by means of the audible alarm. In construction of my device as illustrated the contact-rails 1, 1, 2, and 2 will be kept clean and free of corrosion, as the brushes Q) will have a tendency to scrape these rails and keep them free from obstructions From this it will be noticed that I provide a device by means of which I notify the engineer in time to stop his train in approaching the open switch. The engineer failing to obey orders in passing a set semaphore is likewise notified to stop by means of the ringing of his alarm-gong.

My invention is especially adapted to be used in connection with the railroad-tracks near to the stations.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is-

-The combination with a switch-provided railway system, of two contact-rails positioned between the steel rails proper, a pivotallyheld contact-making rock-lever, an electric conductor extending from said rock-lever to one of said intermediate contact-rails, a connecting-bar secured to the moving rail ends of the switch and being in engagement with said contact-making rock-lever, an electrical terminal in circuit, said rock-lever being adapted to come in contact with said terminal, a conductor leading from said electrical terminal, and secured to the remaining contactrail, two pendent brushes secured to a suitable locomotive and adapted to come in contact with said contact-rails, and a suitable electric bell in circuitwith said brushes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. SMILEY. 

